The Pacific Island countries, including Vanuatu have some of the highest rates of diabetes in the entire world. Results from health surveys indicate diabetes rates as high as 47% in certain communities, but on average between 15 – 25% of the population. Some pacific island countries have the highest death rate from diabetes in the world. With neighboring Australia at approx 5%, there is a significant need for nutritional education and healthcare support in Vanuatu.  

Obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are placing a huge social, economical and emotional load on the people of Vanuatu.   

IVI’s nutrition and public health outreach cater to students and graduates in the field of nutrition, dietetics, holistic healthcare, nursing, naturopathy, physiotherapy & medicine. You’ll participate in an outreach program designed to provide free healthcare education for communities which generally lack access to healthcare services. 

Working alongside a qualified practitioner from Australia, the aim of the outreach project is health promotion & free assessments in villages, corporate businesses, schools & community centers to increase the knowledge about nutrition and the effect of physical activity in the prevention of obesity and development of NCD’s.

In teams of 4 to 8, you will have endorsement from the Ministry of Health Vanuatu to perform free health checks for villagers and/or corporate staff. Monday will be orientation day in Port Villa. The team will show you around including the local fruit market, walk through town, show banks, supermarket and teach some basic Bislama phrases.  

During the program, you may also be involved in preparing educational talks on various topics such as the dangers of sugar and other disease causing issues. You will have the opportunity to conduct in depth health screenings like blood pressure checks, blood glucose level tests and waist to hip ratios measurement. 

• Population of Vanuatu 280,000 and most of the population of Vanuatu is rural, although Port Vila and Luganville have sizable populations. Port Vila is the largest city and capital with a population of 45,000, accounting for 19% of the country’s total population.
• Average income 24,000VUV to 30,000VUV p/month. To feed a family of 6 cost for food is 5000VUV p/week. Most families have on average 4 children.
• Local foods consumed in high amounts – Breakfast – Bread/butter/jam/eggs/mayonnaise.
• Lunch – Huge (OMG!) servings rice with fish, pork, chicken or beef and mashed Casava and cabbage salad (the salad is actually really good + reef fish yum!)
• Dinner – repeat. Fruit/snacks – Coconuts, Pineapple, Papaya, Apple, Soursop, Watermelon, Peanuts, Banana chips (fried), Cassava chips (fried), Vanuatu Almonds (they are huge and they fry them in Veg oil and sugar), Bread with peanut batter and jam together. Vegetables in season I noted at market – Island cabbage, Cassava, Potato, Carrot, Lettuce, Eggplant and Green Beans.
• Observations Diet and Lifestyle – Portions are at least 4 x the recommended size with rice 70% of weight on plate. The local women do not drive and catch the bus (minivans) and walk a lot. High % of women 30 years+ tend to be overweight, with large bloated stomachs (fat appeared to be visceral).
• Traditional living arrangements in that Men provide income and many women stay at home to raise family and cook/clean, men and women drink a lot of coconut water and possibly not enough water given the climate. Unsure of contraceptive methods but most families have 4+ children.
• Drink – Alcohol usually on weekend only due to cost, Lots of black tea with sugar and biscuits.
• Gifts – Books, Toothbrushes, floss, paper, hand sanitiser (The local team have a no sweets/chocolate policy due to the excess sugar consumption).

Port Vila, the capital and main hub of Vanuatu is situated on Efate island. The architecture has mainly french with the population quite multicultural including ni-Vanuatu, Chinese, Vietnamese, British and French. Port Vila has all the standard facilities you’d expect from a commercial hub such as hospitals, shopping districts (note Vanuatu is a tax haven so duty free!), sports stadium, hotels, casino, museums and cultural centers. The town is a great base for divers who come for the trips to Mele Cascades, a large rain forest water fall with rock pools and incredible scenery.  As the commercial hub tourism plays an important role, however it does not feel ‘touristy’ especially in the areas where IVI services. Here you can get to know the locals and truly experience the authentic lifestyle from outside of the tourist resorts.

– Conducting individual and group consultations
– Remote island healthcare education
– Corporate health
– Children’s health & education
– Identifying protein deficiency among school kids
– Assisting in the prescription of natural protocols
– Providing educational assistance and local talks (if desired)
– Helping build nutrition and diabetes awareness campaigns
– Designing fitness and exercise programs
– Village exercise programs
– General healthy living programs.